It came as no surprise to me to recently read about fraud within the unemployment process as back in September, yours truly received a $7,458 bill from the State for an unemployment claim in my name that I did not apply for (nor receive said $7,458). Been thankfully employed for the last 30 years so obviously a head scratcher receiving the notice. I went through the proper channels and reported it to my employer and the agency's online fraud site (as talking to a human at the agency is not going to happen).
I received a follow-up form letter advising they are aware of the fraud and won't be pursuing me further (which coincidentally came out right around the time the press started reporting on the widespread issues).
Stay tuned but as Ernie Harwell used to say, that $7,458 is lonnnnggggg gone and the individual who received it is probably broke again (or in jail like the boneheads in the second article below). Karma is a bitch.
The helmet cam recently made a trip to the banks of the mighty Grand River to pedal Ionia State Recreation Area. Ionia, sandwiched between Lansing and Grand Rapids, is also home to the Ionia Correctional Facility, just north over the river from the park; so heads up for any hikers dressed in orange. The founding fathers of the city must have insisted on having a prison in town with a name like Ionia (sound it out....I-own-ya). Fake news as I believe the name comes from the Ionian tribe (looked it up).
trailhead
Between Lansing and Grand Rapids, coming from I-96, get off at the Jordan Lake Rd exit (exit 64) and head north on Jordan Lake Rd about four miles until you run into the park. Although I saw alternate parking areas while pedaling, the primary mountain bike trailhead is about 1/2 mile into the park; you'll see a sign for it near the beach area signs.
From the primary trailhead, there is about a 1/4 mile prairie ride north to the loop. The trail goes in different directions based on the day of the week. Going off of memory but believe the direction was the red flow/loop on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and yellow Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
positives
A little over six miles, it's not going to break your back with bearable climbs and a view of the river during a portion of the ride.
negatives
The hardcore riders will rag on me (lighten up Francis) but keep that booty elevated a bit during the pedal as it is one of the rockier rides I've experienced.
Beggars can't be choosers but based on the map, I was expecting the trail to run right along the river but there is a big gap between and will bet the trees block the view a good portion during full tree bloom.
Attached are some views with a nice spill at about the 2:10 mark. The clip is not in slow motion; this scribe was just dragging ass a bit. It happens.
Cell phone users need to click the link to view the attached.
In the mold of "build it and he will come," my bird feeder has become a gathering place this year for quite a vast array of species. We have birds (obviously), squirrels (brown and black), rabbits, ducks, skunks, possum, and the ability to have my personal groundhog day with one of those coming through as well, On the bird front, I put the Blue Jay and the Cardinal as the "don't fu** with me" birds of the bird feeder. They are the bullies of the birds.
I'm on a first name basis with Joe the Squirrel pictured here and once he starts talking back, it will be time to check me in.
Today's showcase takes us to the nighttime anywhere in SE Michigan on the mountain bike. With daylight savings ending (or started? - can't keep that straight), most of us start the work day in darkness and end the same way so improvise we must if a weekday work release ride is calling.
I would call out a trail name but in the dark, it can be anywhere. I even find myself asking where the heck I'm at during most night rides after getting into some deep thought for a couple miles. It kicks the mountain bike experience up a notch.
The attached video gives a short glimpse into the experience. I would normally have a second light attached to the helmet that helps on turns but the camera took that spot. Not a hardcore trail so the limitation had little or no impact.
I thank the lord for the nighttime as the song goes.
Cell phone users need to click the link to view the attached video:
